OPINION: Melting Arctic ice: Call to climate action

Melting of the Arctic ice has a direct correlation with the rising incidence of droughts, floods and heatwaves. The warming Arctic affects ocean currents and winds, with follow-on effects across the world, including on the Monsoon.ET Bureau | May 08, 2017, 07:34 IST

New Delhi: The Arctic Sea ice is thawing at a rapid pace — over the past three decades, the area of sea ice in the Arctic has fallen by more than half. A recent report estimates that the Arctic will be free of sea ice by 2040, much before an earlier estimate of 2070. Apart from gearing up for effects such as an increase in extreme weather incidents and rising sea levels, countries, including India, must reinforce their commitment to a lower carbon economy.

Melting of the Arctic ice has a direct correlation with the rising incidence of droughts, floods and heatwaves. The warming Arctic affects ocean currents and winds, with follow-on effects across the world, including on the Monsoon. This impacts cropping patterns and food production, and exacerbate water stresses. The quickened pace of sea ice melt will mean rising sea levels that will pose a danger to coastal cities, including Mumbai . As permafrost thaws, dormant viruses and bacteria could resurface to pose new public health challenges. The melting of the Arctic sea ice has been an issue of concern for scientists and environmentalists for long, now it must concern the larger community. Growth will have to produce less carbon dioxide, which warms the planet, than at present.

The climate change commitments made at Paris are far from adequate to meet the goal of restricting global temperature rise to well below 2° Celsius. Countries, sub-national entities like cities, and businesses all need to step up their efforts. This is not the time for countries to step back or make a downward adjustment to their commitment to take measures that would slow down global warming. The cost of not stepping up efforts is immense; one that the poorest who will be the worst affected can least afford.

(This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Economic Times)